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No. 3/1/200S -PP-1 Government. of India

Ministry of Minority Affairs

1 1 th Floor. Prayavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi — 110003. Dated 21.10.2008

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Minutes of the 3 rd meeting of the Empowered Committee held on 29.09.2008 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs to consider and approve the multi sectoral development plans for Darrang, Kamrup and Barpeta districts, Assam

***

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith minutes of the above

mentioned Empowered Committee meeting held on 29.09.2008 under the Chairmanship of

Secretary (Minority Affairs) for information.

(A. K. Srivastava) Under Secretaryio the Government of India

Copy to :-

1. Ministry of Finance, (Secretary, Department of Expenditure), North Block, New Delhi

2. Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

3. Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi

4. Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi

5. Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi

6. Secretary. Ministry of Power, Shram Shakti Bhawan. Rafi Marg, New Delhi

7. Secretary, Department of Animal husbandry /Dairying & Fisheries, Krishi Bhawan,

New Delhi

8. Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi

9. Secretary. Ministry of Labour & Employment. Shram Shakti Bhawan. New Delhi

10. Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi

11. Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,

New Delhi

12. Secretary, Department of Drinking Water Supply. 247 - A Wing, Nirman Bhawan,

New Delhi

13. Secretary, Department of Road TransprA and Highways, Transport Bhawan —I, Parliament Street, New Delhi

14.AS&FA, Ministry of Minority Affairs, New Delhi 15. Advisor (Social Sector), Planning Commission, Yojana Bhavan, New Delhi 16.Member-Secretary, ICSSR, JNU Institutional Area, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg,

New Delhi-67

Copy also forwarded for necessary action to:-

Secretary, Welfare of Minorities and Development, Govt. of Assam, Assam Secretariat. Dispur, Guwahati

Copy for information to :-

PS to Minister (MA)/ PPS to Secretary (MA)/ JS (PP) / Director (Fin)/ Under Secretary (A)

Srivastava) Under Secretary to the Government of India

Tel. No. 24364317

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Minutes of the third meeting of the Empr wered Committee to consider the multi Sectoral development plans for minority .:oncentration districts held at 10.30. a.m on 29th Sept. 2008 under the Chairmanshiii of Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs in Committee Room, Paryavaran Bhavar., New Delhi.

A list of members and officials present in the meeting is annexed.

The Chairman of the Empowered Committee explained the background for identification of minority concentration districts and the formulation of a multi-sectoral development programme designed to address the development deficit of such districts. It was observed that although electricity availability was ranked high among the identified development deficits of the districts under consideration, the national programme for electrification of all villages by the year 2012 under RGGVY would be able to overcome this deficit. Besides, electrification is technical, capital intensive involving load study with long implementation time. The representatives from the Government of Assam stated that individual household sanitation toilets have not been proposed as the approved unit cost of the Central Government under Total Sanitation Campaign programme is too low.

2. The multi Sectoral plans for the districts of Darrang, Kamrup and Barpeta of Assam were considered. The conclusions that emerged after each Power Point Presentation by the Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner, clarification by the Secretary of Government of Assam concerned, comments/clarifications from the members of the Empowered Committee and the representatives of Ministry/Department are as follows:-

Item No.1: Darrang District

The fund allocated for the MSDP Plan was Rs.63.30 crore for the 11 th Plan period. It was observed that projects for education, animal husbandry anganwadi centres have not been proposed. The representative from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Agriculture) was of the view that the States should be informed to give thrust to animal husbandry related economic activities. To apprise them of the different CSS schemes available it was agreed that a write-up on the salient features of the animal husbandry schemes would he made available by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The Secretary of minority development, Government of Assam clarified that no proposal has been made for the education sector as literacy rate of the district is above the national average. It was however, advised that if there were stark facts in the field necessitating governmental intervention , then such sector may be considered from the balance funds available for the district. Similarly, it was felt that some allocation could also be given to improve the condition of anganwadi centres which are not functioning in government buildings. With the balance funds available, the number of houses to be construct l under Indira Awas Yojana could be considered for augmentation. It was also felt that economic activities under SGSY would also require attention.

(i)

Projects approved.

(a) Indira Awas Yojana (JAY): Households having pucca walls were ranked 1` t in the order of deficit in the baseline survey and deserved attention. The

proposal was for 2857 houses at the art cost of Rs.35,000. However, it was clarified in the meeting by the representative of the State Government that the unit cost has been revised to Rs.38,500/-. The proposal was approved by the Empowered Committee for a total cost of Rs.1099.95 lakhs. Central contribution from MsDP would be Rs. 824.94 lakhs and Rs. 275.01 lakh as State share. It was agrect! that 50% of the Central share would be released as 1 St instalment. The approval was given on the condition that the State Government will ensure that as provided in the IAY guidelines, BPL families figuring in the approved waif list, even if they belong to communities other than the minority communities, would be selected in order of their ranking in the list. State share would be provided. The list of the villages having the highest proportion of minority population where these houses would be constructed should be furnished along with the proposal for release of fund.

(b) Drinking water

Installation of Tara hand pumps and M III Hand Pumps:

The State Govt. representative clarified that the proposal for installation of hand pumps was as per the approved norms/guidelines of ARWSP and the funding ratio in NE is 90:10. These pumps would be installed in 275 minority concentration villages. These villages having the highest concentration of minority population do not have safe drinking water. State PHE Department has proposed the scheme. The Empowered Committee approved the installation of 350 Hand Pumps for Rs 70.00 lakh, of which Rs 63.00 lakh would be borne by the centre and Rs. 7.00 lakh as State share. The Empowered Committee also approved the installation of another 100 Hand Pumps of a lower unit cost of which Rs 40.5 lakh would be borne by the Centre and Rs. 4.50 lakh by the State.

(ii) Projects approved in-principle.

Expansion of Health Sub-Centres:- It has been proposed in the plan for expansion of two health sub-centres at a unit cost of Rs.3.5 lakhs. Expansion of more health sub-centres has not been proposed as they are in order. Empowered Committee accorded in-principle approval for expansion of two health sub-centres for Rs.7 lakh, of which Rs. 5.95 lakh and 1.05 lakh would be Central and State share respectively. It was agreed that 50% of the Central share would be released as 1 St installment.

(iii) Proposal requiring project details/profile for appraisal and comments of the Ministry/Department concerned if State Government desire to pursue the proposal:-

For the following projects, the State Govt. would be required to provide project details/profile for appraisal and comments of the Central Ministry/Department concerned:-

(a) Construction of 28 Health Sub-Centres:- It was not clear whether thes proposal was for establishment of new PHSC or for construction existing PHSC. It was made clear that establishment of new PHSC w need to have the sanction/approval of the competent authority for op

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such a centre and information the availability of staff, land etc. The State Govt. was advised to ma!,e out a detailed project report as per NRHM guidelines in case it is for establishment of new PHSC, so that it could be considered in another meeting.

(b) 19 Piped Water SiTply Schemes: The State Government 'was advised to provide detailed project report for obtaining the comments of the-:D/o Drinking Water Supply (DWS).

(iv) Proposals declined by the Empowered Committee as they were not identified as priority items in the baseline survey/not envisaged in the programme:

(a)Market infrastructure development scheme: This was considered a priority item in terms of development deficits identified by the baseline survey.

(b)100 bedded sub-district hospital: This could be considered for funding under the Ministry of DoNER or NEC.

(c)Various schemes under health sectors: It was observed that such schemes were not primary health facilities. Programme on specific activities like control of AIDS etc could be proposed to organisations like NACO which is primarily looking into such activities.

(d)Road Sector: The projects proposed include construction of bridges which entails high involvement of resources and are technical. The construction period is long and preparation of project includes detailed study and survey. Such proposals including roads could best be sourced from the ministry dealing with such projects. Subsequent to the meeting of the Empowered Committee, comments were received from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The Ministry has advised that since the road development activities are being taken up by various agencies such as Ministry of DONER. NEC, PMGSY,GS Roads (by BRO), it is important the roads are developed in an integrated manner under one master plan.

(v)

Summary of projects of Darrang district approved by the Empowered

Committee :

SI. no.

Name of project '

No of units

Central share

State share

L.

Total cost

1099.95

T 1 Sf instalment ] amount to be

released

824.94 Rupee in Iakh

275.01 412.47 1 Indira Awas Yojana 2857 2 Installation of tube wells 350 63.00 7.00 70.00 31.50

3. Installation of M III Hand Pumps

100 40.50 4.50 45.00 20.25 .

4. Expansion of Health sub centres*

2 5.95 1.05 7.00 2.97

Total 934.39 287.56 1221.95 -- 467.19

* Approved in-principle. Funds will be released only after details and clarifications are received.

Item No.2 Kamrup

The fund allocated for the MSDP Plan was Rs.35.3 crore for the 11 th Plan period. Kamrup district has been bifurcated into metro (Guwahati) and rural areas. The State Government was requested to provide details of old Kamrup district along with newly created metro and rural districts.The focus of the MSDP scheme will be on rural and semi-urban areas of the identified 90 minority concentration districts. The representative of the Government of Assam, clarified that Kamrup metro district fall in urban areas and the proposal has been made only for Kamrup rural district.

(i) Projects approved.

(a)Indira Awas Yo Jana (IAY): Households having pucca walls were ranked 1 st in the order of deficit in the baseline survey and deserved attention. There was a wait list of over one lakh BPL families. The proposal was for 3000 houses at the unit cost of Rs.38,500 and would be implemented in 124 villages/hamlets which have 80% and above minority population. The proposal was approved by the Empowered Committee for a total cost of Rs.1155 lakhs. Central share from MsDP would be Rs. 866.25 lakhs and Rs. 288.75 as State share. It was agreed that 50% of the Central share would be released as 1 st instalment. The approval was given on the condition that the State Government will ensure that IAY guidelines for selection of beneficiaries would be followed and BPL families figuring in the approved wait list, even if they belong to communities other than the minority communities, would be selected in order of their ranking in the list. State share would be provided. The list of the villages having the highest proportion of minorit,), population where this project would be implemented would be furnished along with the proposal for release of fund.

(ii) Projects approved in-principle: (a) Anganwadi Centres The proposal was for construction of 300 Anganwadi Centres @ 1.75 lakh per centre for a total cost of Rs.525.00 lakh. The Empowered Committee accorded in- principle approval on the condition that the State Government would furnish details on availability of land, staff and location. The per unit cost was being revised upwards by M/o Women and Child Development and this would need to be obtained so that a uniform unit cost and specification adopted. It would need to be ensured that the centres were located where there was high concentration of minority population. It was advised that 20 ICDS centres each in villages having the highest proportion of minority population may be selected and list furnished along with proposal for release of funds. (b) Vocational training on computer and information technology: T proposal was for providing IT proficiency course to 18000 minority students fo total cost of Rs.288 Lakh. The Government of Assam propose to intensify

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Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Progr?.., ►me. The schools where the training would be carried out have 10 to 15 computers each. Students who have passed class X examination would be eligible for training. The Empowered Committee accorded in-principle approval to the proposal subject to the condition that State Government would provide the criteria for selection of student, earmarking for girls, details of course cc tent, duration of course, information on the employability prospects after successful completion of training, the approved rates for the courses as contained in the MOU between State Governments and NIIT etc. State Education Department should indicate that they have no objection to the use of school premises for the said training .

(c) Solar Lantern: It has been proposed to provide 3240 solar lantern for girl students of minority community. This is an existing scheme of the M/o New & Renewal Energy for giving free solar lantern to girl students studying in class IX to XII who belong to BPL families. It was mentioned by the State Government representative that as there are hardly any girls from the minority communities studying upto class IX, it has been proposed that this may be given from class VI to XII. Girl students would be selected from 21 villages where electricity would not be available till 2015. The Empowered Committee accorded in-principle approval to the proposal for providing of lanterns to girls studying in class VI to class XII on the conditions that comments of the M/o N&RE would be obtained. The State Govt. would ensure that girls students belonging to BPL families are selected from 21 villages. The list of 21 villages would be provided by the State govt. along with the request for release of funds.

(iii) Proposal requiring project details/profile for appraisal and comments of the Ministry/Department concerned if State Government desire to pursue the proposal:-

(a) Construction of additional classroom in high schools and higher secondary schools: A new scheme called -Universalization of access to quality education at secondary stage (SUCCESS) has been launched by the M/O Human Resource Development recently and this scheme permits construction for high schools and higher secondary schools. This scheme should be accessed first and if the assistance given under this scheme is not sufficient, then it may he proposed under MSDP.

(b) Mechanization of agriculture: It was stated by the representative from the Govt. of Assam that under a World Bank project implemented in the State,shallow tube wells were installed. The proposal was for char areas only. Distribution of tractors and power tillers has also been proposed and it was pointed out by the representative of the M/o Agriculture that this may be covered by the existing scheme of Macro Management. It was advised that a detailed project report may be sent for obtaining comments of the Ministry of Agriculture.

(c) Fish & Fish seed production and market support: The State Government was advised to provide more details, break up of the proposal, and agency which will execute it for obtaining the comments of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

(iv) Proposals declined by the Empo, 3ered Committee as they were not identified as priority items in thc, baseline survey/not envisaged in the programme:

(a) Infrastructure development for marketing of agriculture products: This may be proposed under the existing scheme of the M/o Agriculture.

(b) Bridge: The project entails high capital cost and should be proposed to the Ministry of Road Transport.

(v)

Summary of projects of Kamrup district approved by the Empowered Committee:

SI. no.

Name of project No. of units

Central share v-

State share

Total cost 1 51 instalment amount to be released

1 0 ,2,04.41;cs Rupee in Iakh r)5.1(1' 1 Indira Awes Yojana 3000 - -8C5625 288.75 1155.00 -43.37+2

2 Const of anganwadi centres*

300 525.00 1‘. ' 525.00 262.50

3. Vocational training on computer and I.T*

18000 288.00 - 288.00 • 144.00

4. Solar Lantern* 3240 112.10 - 112.10 56.05 Total 1791.35 2080.1 895.67_,

* Approved in-principle. Funds will be released only after details and clarifications are received.

Item No. 3 Barpeta District

The fund allocated for the MSDP Plan was Rs.73.00 crore for the 11 th Plan period. (i) - Projects approved.

(a)Indira Awas Yo Jana (IA Y): Households having pucca walls were ranked 2 nd in the order of deficit in the basel;ne survey and deserved attention. 13039 houses has been proposed to be calculated a: a unit cost of Rs.38,500. The proposal was approved by the Empowered Committee for 12000 units of houses involving total cost of Rs.4620 lakh. Central share from MsDP would he Rs. 3465 lakhs and Rs. 1155 lakh as State share. It was agreed that 50% of the Central share would he released as l st instalment. The approval was given on the condition that 20 BPL families per village in 50 villages per block having the highest porportion of minority population would be selected. The State Government will ensure that IAY guidelines for selection of beneficiaries would be followed and BPI, families figuring in the wait list, even if they belong to communities other than the minority communities, would be selected in order of their ranking in the list.

(b) Construction of additional Class Rooms (ACR) in lower primary and middle schools.

The proposal was for construction of 724 additional Class Rooms (ACR) in lower primary and middle schools @ 2.43 lakh per unit. The proposal was approved by the Empowered Committee subject to condition that the proposal is as per the norms of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and on the assurance that duplication would not take place. The total cost approved was Rs.1759.32 lakh of which central share would be Rs.1 143.56 lakh and State share Rs.615.76 lakh.

(c) Instalation of Tara Hand Pump.

The proposal was for installation of 3282 Tara hand pumps at the unit cost of Rs.0.196. The Empowered Committee approved the proposal of installation of 3282 hand pumps at a total cost of Rs.643.27 lakh of which Central share would be Rs.578.94 lakh and State share as Rs.64.33 lakh. This was approved on condition that it will be distributed in villages of all blocks which are sourceless and have the highest proportion of minority population.

Proposal requiring project details/profile for appraisal and comments of the Ministry/Department concerned if State Government desire to pursue the proposal:-

(a) Loan and Subsidy to SHGs for sustainable agricultural growth under SGSY:

It was clarified that the comments of Ministry of Rural Development would be necessary for consideration and approval of this project. A detailed project report may be submitted by the State Government.

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Proposals declined by the Empowered Oimmittee:

(a) Programme Infrastructure in Vete• inary, fishery, market shed and threshing floor. It was clarified by the Empowered Committee that the D/o of Animal Husbandry & Dairying has schemes for such acti vities and this should be accessed first.

(v)

Summary of projects of Barpeta district approved by the Empowered Committee :

SI. no.

Name of project No. of units

Central share

i State share Total cost 1 st instalment amount to be released

12000 724

3465.00 1143.56

Rupee in lakh 1155.00 615.76

4620.00 1759.32

1732.50 571.78

1 Indira Awas Yojana 2 Construction of

additional Class Rooms (ACR) in lower primary and middle schools.

3 Instalation of Tara Hand Pump.

3282 578.94 64.33 643.27 289.47

Total 5187.50 1835.09 7022.59 2593.75

3 RD MEETING OF EMPOWERMENT COMMITTFL ON BARPETA, DARRANG AND KAMRUP DISTRICTF OF ASSAM

HELD ON 29TH SEPTEMBr_:R, 2008 AT 10.30 A.M.

List of Participants

1. Shri M.N. Prasad, Secretary Chairman Ministry of Minority Affairs

Dr. M.L. Mathur, Dy. Advisor,

Ministry of Planning Commission

Dr. G.P. Kumar, Addl. Economic Advisor,

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

4. Ms. Uma Goel, Joint Secretary,

Deptt. of Agriculture & Cooperation

5. Ms. S. Rawla, Joint Secretary

Department of Animal Husbandry/Dairying & Fisheries

6. Shri TCA Anant, Member Secretary,

ICSSR, New Delhi

7. Ms. Sanchita Dutta, Dy. Director ICSSR, New Delhi

8. Dr. H. Bhat, Director

Ministry of HRD

Shri Ameising Luikham , Joint Secretary (PP)

Ministry of Minority Affairs

List of Participants from the State of Assam

Shri Mohd. Alauddin, Secretary,

Welfare Minority Department,

Govt. of Assam

Shri R.C. Jain, Deputy Commissioner

Kamrup District

Shri Dhrubo Hazarika, Deputy Commissioner

Darrang District

4. Shri Nazrul Islam, Addl. Deputy Commissioner

Barpeta District

List of Officers of the Ministry of Minority Affairs

1. Shri Ashish Joshi, Director (PP)

2. Shri A.K. Srivastava, Under Secretary(PF-1)

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